Pavlova's Desert: Phil Tells A Spectacular Champions Dinner Story

A gem from Tuesday’s pre-2021 Masters press conference:

Q. Fast-forwarding to tonight's Champions Dinner, how are we feeling about the pigs in a blanket? Are you a fan, or what's up?

PHIL MICKELSON: I'm always open. I've tried a lot of different cuisine over the years. I think it's pretty cool. I remember -- I'll share with you a little funny story from Adam Scott's victory.

He had this wonderful meal, Australian-themed, and out comes dessert, and it's pavlova. It's meringue with some fruit and so forth. And I said, no -- now, you can't Google this stuff because there's no cell phones allowed, right. I said, oh, pavlova, that's inspired by the great Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova who was touring through New Zealand, Australia, and an Australian chef so inspired by her beautiful movement and tutu, she ended up -- he made a dessert after her.

Chairman Payne looked at me like what kind of stuff are you spewing here, you know.

And, no, no, this is true. Zach Johnson looks at me, says, "I've got a hundred dollars that says that's not right."

So everybody is calling me out on my BS. And a lot of times, I am BSing. However, however, my daughter was a dancer, and she wrote a biography on Anna Pavlova, and I made 32 pavlovas for her class when she was a little girl, and I knew this. And I ended up, you know, being right, which is not often, but I was right on that particular moment.

Some of these moments that go down in Champions Dinner are special, and that was cuisine inspired.

California Is Aiming To Fully Reopen June 15th, U.S. Open Tuesday

Luke Money and Taryn Luna report for the L.A. Times and California’s plan to “fully reopen its economy June 15.”

The hope is only as good as a sufficient vaccine supply expected along with “stable and low hospitalization numbers.”

June 15th is Tuesday of the U.S. Open scheduled for Torrey Pines South.

Magnolia Lane To The Sounds Of The Gunna Sound Ceilidh Band

Robert Macintyre makes his Masters debut this week and provided this fantastic spin on the Magnolia Lane approach, all set to the internationally renowned recording artists, The Gunna Sound Ceilidh Band.

Personally, I’d go Mildred Bailey “Shoutin In That Amen Corner” or maybe throw a curveball with ABC’s use of the Love Unlimited Orchestra’s Love Theme, but I’m not Scottish nor am I driving up Magnolia Lane this week.

In case you’re one of those weirdos like me who still buys music, the iTunes store option.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @robertmacintyre

A Tale Of Two Champions Dinners

The Brothers Johnson had very different approaches to their Tuesday dinner’s in Augusta.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Masters (@themasters)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Austin Johnson (@austin_johnson12)

Quadrilateral: Masters Tuesday News And Notes

Today’s newsletter for the kind supporters and many thanks for all the new sign-ups this week.

I’m humbled and glad you’re enjoying The Quad as much as I am.

Bryson: "There's not much more to gain from [the] technology side of golf club manufacturing"

A multi-layered answer from Bryson DeChambeau’s pre-Masters press conference:

Q. Last year there was a lot of talk that, culturally, you were leading a revolution in golf, especially among young fans who are really energized by the way you swing the golf club and all those things. If so, what's the stage of that revolution now?

BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU: I don't know the scope of that answer, either. You guys are giving me tough questions today.

I will say the Drive, Chip & Putt, what we saw with one of the kids imitating Kyle Berkshire, you're already starting to see it with kids. I've had numerous college kids DM me on Instagram and ask me, "How do I get stronger? How do I get faster?" So you're already starting to see it through -- from collegiate level all the way to junior golf level.

I think as time goes on, there's not much more to gain from technology side of golf club manufacturing, building. There are little things we can do, but where the massive gains will be is in athletes. Once you get somebody out here that's a 7-foot-tall human being and they are able to swing a golf club at 145 miles an hour effortlessly, that's when things get a little interesting. That's when I'm going to become obsolete potentially even.

Look, there's still a chipping aspect and there's still a putting aspect to it, but from a driving aspect, that's where the gains will be had, is with these athletes coming out in the future. And it won't stop. There's just no way it will stop.

I think it's good for the game, too. I don't think it's a bad thing you're bringing in and making it more inclusive to everybody when you're doing that. The athletes are the ones that are going to in the end move the needle in any sport you play, and I think that's pretty amazing.

One way it’ll stop? Injuries to the athletes trying to do things the body won’t enjoy over thousands of shots.

Quadrilateral: It's A Fast And Firm Monday

A fun and busy Monday at Augusta meant a wide range of notes, with a huge emphasis on player praise for a much better golf course than they played in November.

Sorry, but you probably know the drill by now. This one’s for paying subscribers. Thanks for understanding.

Thursday’s edition will go to all followers of The Quadrilateral though so sign on up!

Uh, Your Masters Radio Lead Analyst Says Goodbye To His Beloved Shower As Only He Can

Greg Norman, having sold his Florida home, wanted to share with us his final “sunset shower” at Tranquility, apparently the estate’s name.

Ladies and gentleman, (children cover your eyes), your SiriusXM Masters lead analyst this week…who also took a little jab at the other non-Fox golf networks approach to coverage as he prepares for his Augusta return:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Greg Norman (@shark_gregnorman)

Senator Rubio Asks If Commissioner Manfred Will Keep His Augusta National Membership

One danger of wearing your Green Coat around Masters week: tipping the world to your membership in Augusta National.

I’m not sure I would have known Major League Baseball Commissioner was a member had he not been in green and who knows how Senator Marco Rubio became aware. But in the wake of MLB pulling its All-Star game from Georgia, the Senator from Florida is very upset at “woke corporate virtue signaling” and would like to know if it’ll extend to the Commissioner’s golf. (Apparently because Rubio’s state is next to Georgia’s he’s taken a keen interest in the matter.)

The full letter:

With the MLB All-Star Game being moved out of Atlanta, Senator Marco Rubio has sent a letter to Commissioner Rob Manfred.

"I write to ask you whether you intend to maintain your membership at Augusta National Golf Club."

The members-only golf club is also located in Georgia. pic.twitter.com/xqekb7pKrZ

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) April 5, 2021

Tavatankit Missed Only 11 Greens En Route To ANA Win

Patty Tavatankit’s -18 under performance in the ANA Inspiration held off Lydia Ko and probably will get lost a bit in the Masters focus, but check out here greens in regulation dominance despite okay driving and okay putting:

That’s 14 more greens than runner-up Ko and three more than the next closest player (Ally Ewing, -10).

Mallon On Woods' Recovery And Possibility Of Champions Dinner Visit

Dr. Bill Mallon, a former tour player and orthopedic surgeon, tries to assess Tiger Woods’s recovery based on experience given the dearth of information. He does report he’s learned Woods suffered a Lisfranc fracture in his foot, a very difficult injury to recover from. The full tweet storm can be read by clicking on the initial post:

Tuesday is the night of the Champions Dinner at Augusta National. Will Tiger Woods be there? What is his status since his automobile accident on 24 February? 1/n

— Bill Mallon (@bambam1729) April 5, 2021

If the only problem was his tibia, Tiger would likely be FWB about now. But he was noted to have fractures in his foot that were treated with several screws. One was a talus fracture and the other, I’ve since learned, was a Lisfranc fracture. 10/n

— Bill Mallon (@bambam1729) April 5, 2021

Spieth Returns To The Winner's Circle On Masters Eve

You might not have known the Masters was just 96 hours away watching the final round of the Valero Texas Open. Only a few dared to mention Charley Hoffman was not in the field next week and the storyline of him trying to earn a trip back to Augusta was largely avoided. No one wanted the red phone ringing with the dreaded 904 area code. What a world!

Hoffman put up a valiant effort but came up short, sending Jordan Spieth to The Masters with his first win in 1351 days (The 2017 Open Championship).

Notes from the Tour Communications team on site:

• Five players in the last 40 years have reached 12 wins before turning 28: Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Spieth

• Spieth becomes the 92nd player in PGA TOUR history to reach 12 wins and moves into a tie for 82nd on the all-time wins list

• Spieth improves to 10-for-19 in his PGA TOUR career with the 54-hole lead/co-lead

• Charley Hoffman finishes solo-second for the second consecutive time at the Valero Texas Open; finished runner-up to Corey Conners in 2019

• Since 2006, Hoffman leads all players at the Valero Texas Open in top-fives (5), top-10s (7), top-25s (12), cuts made (15) and score to par (-105)

Spieth called it a monumental win for himself, as noted in this Valero wrap-up by Brentley Romine:

Quote of the day: "Man, it’s been a long road. There were a lot of times I wasn’t sure if I’d be here talking to you [Golf Channel's Todd Lewis] about this right now. I never really doubted in myself to be able to get back to where I wanted to go, but when you lose confidence a lot of times it’s hard to see the positive going forward. ... This is a monumental win for me. It’s one that I’ve certainly thought about for a long time." – Spieth

About that golf tournament and Spieth’s move up the odds board, I am not afraid to call it by its name in Monday’s Quadrilateral news and notes roundup.

Fourth round highlights:

"Chairman Fred Ridley will surely field questions about Augusta National’s stance during his annual pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday"

Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch calls on the major golf organizations to get involved in support voter registration and rights

The men facing this dilemma — Ridley, Jay Monahan and Seth Waugh — are measured, lawyerly types and not prone to intemperate or hasty responses, even in charged circumstances. All three have signed on to a collaborative effort to make golf not only more inclusive as a sport but more socially responsive as an industry. And while this is a situation not of their making, it is nevertheless a test of that commitment. Their responses (or lack thereof) won’t be without consequences.

All three organizations — the PGA Tour, PGA of America and Augusta National — would doubtless prefer not to be involved in the quagmire of Georgia politics. But there is a potential signpost for next steps, and it lies in the wording of the Tour’s statement, which used the term “critical priority” to describe efforts to “work together to make voting easier for all citizens.”

Golf’s bodies could use their reach, resources and events to support voter registration drives and back initiatives that increase voter access. In short, to join with other organizations and proactively shore up the democratic process against any insidious effort to undermine it.

And Christine Brennan of USA Today/Golfweek highlights the social activism of several Augusta National Women’s Amateur contestants that will likely not be repeated by the Masters contestants.

It has to be the first time Augusta National has ever hosted social activists of any kind and it certainly provides a stark contrast with what is likely coming Masters week as the eyes of the sports world turn to the very significant political and social issues percolating here in Georgia – and the predictable blank stares and no comments of the predominately white, rich, very conservative male golfers who will be playing here.

While I’m not sure the golfers see themselves primarily as social activists, it does seem the Masters might need to chime in sooner than later. If nothing else to avoid unwanted scrutiny of the membership.

Shirtless Shark: "I don't need to be seen to be seen."

Given his proclivity for posting photos of himself on Instagram, I found Greg Norman’s indifference to Augusta National’s Big Oak social scene curious.

From the New York Post’s Mark Cannizzaro on Norman’s return to Augusta as SiriusXM’s lead analyst.

But you won’t see Norman schmoozing with the who’s who in golf under the big oak tree this week.

“I’m not that type of person that needs to hang around underneath the tree just to hang around,’’ Norman said. “I don’t need to be seen to be seen.’’

Sadly, he will be heard with Brian Katrek as their year-one radio team following Westwood One losing the Masters radio deal. Between those two, it could be a very tough listen.

What ANWA Told Us About Augusta National And Other Notes

Blog readers, as predicted I will be a little less bloggy during major weeks now the The Quadrilateral’s main purpose has arrived.

Sunday’s letter focused on the ANWA, a couple of course surprises and an NBC broadcast review.

Saturday’s letter offered plenty of notes on everything from what to look for this week, Justin Rose, hotel and resale market options, Rob Manfred’s membership status, and much more.

This week’s Thursday edition will be for all followers of the newsletter. The rest can be delivered to your inbox free of conflicts of interest, pop-ups, WAG’s of Augusta slideshows, product placements, tacky ways to buy traffic, and all for $5 a month or $49 a year.